by Mickey Jarvis | Feb 23, 2025 | Bay of Fires, East Coast
Near: Bay of Fires & St Helens: |Hazard Rating: 5/10 | Parking: Okay | Faces: East into Tasman Sea | Length: 1.5 km
Swimcart Beach is a long sweeping beach north of St Helens & Binalong Bay and part of the Bay of Fires.
Pure white sand, beautiful crystal clear blue water and stunning rock formations often covered in a bright orange lichen.
Swimcart has north and south sections divided by Swimcart Lagoon which is often blocked from the sea.
- Swimcart North extends 250m South of Old Man Rocks to Swimcart Lagoon and
- Swimcart South goes south\south east for 1.2 km from Swimcart Lagoon to Round Hill Point.
A popular beach for camping, swimming, snorkeling and surf fishing. The beach sometimes has small surf with the occasional possibility of better waves. The beach can be potentially dangerous to swim at, so as usual, match you and your family’s swimming ability with the conditions.
There are great campsites for every type of vehicle – camper, caravan, motor home, tent etc… many sites are right on the beach. Camping is free with a maximum stay of 28 days. No water is available and fires are banned. The site is managed by Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania.
Basic toilets including some wheelchair access. Entry is from two roads off Gardens Road, one to the south of the lagoon and the other to the north which shares its entry road with Cosy Corner.
Swimcart was named after an Aboriginal word that means ‘river with plenty of fish’.
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by Mickey Jarvis | May 4, 2024 | Low Hazard, South East, Tasman Peninsula
Near Port Arthur |
Hazard Rating: 1/10 | Parking: Good + close | from Hobart: 90 km | Faces: Southeast-ish into Ladies Bay | Length: 500 m
Original Name: Turrakana, the homeland of the Pydairrerme (Tasman Peninsula’s Aboriginal people)
Stewarts Bay is located near Port Arthur between Garden and Fryingpan points. Well-protected, the beach is ideal for families and kids.
A must-visit if you are in the area, not usually too busy with great views. My friend Christine grew up here and describes it as a positive and pivotal part of growing up in the area. Alberry Creek enters into the bay for a safe paddling area. Access to the beach to launch small boats and kayaks, etc.
There is a park area for a picnic with nearby toilets.
by Mickey Jarvis | Mar 11, 2024 | East Coast
Near: Orford | Hazard Rating: 4/10 | Parking: Good + close | from Hobart: 85 km | Faces: NNE into Mercury Passage | Length: 1 km
Located 4 km south of Orford. This a popular beach, and rightly so – beautiful white sand and great views of Toarra-Marra-Monah (Maria Island).
A moderate gradient beach that sometimes gets small surf which can make it moderately hazardous and may also include rips.
The beach has ample parking, toilets and a BBQ area.
by Mickey Jarvis | Apr 18, 2023 | South, Surf
Hazard Rating: 10+/10 | Parking: None | from Hobart: A long way | Faces: South into Antarctica
Located in Cape Raoul Bay, south east Tasmania and accessed by a 8 km walk or by boat. ‘Shippies’ is one the the wildest & most dangerous surf breaks in the world. Multi faceted surf steps and great white sharks make it a top challenge.
It’s name comes from the shape of the bluff which looks likes the ‘stern’ of a ship.
Surf photos provided by: Stu Gibson, a leading Tasmanian surf photographer.
by Mickey Jarvis | Jan 14, 2023 | Greater Hobart, Low Hazard, Wheelchair Friendly
Hazard Rating: Low | Parking: Good + close | from Hobart: 2.4 km | Faces: East into the Derwent River | Length: 150 m
Wheel Chair Access: Disabled parking and a gentle gradient to the beach often on packed sand.
Short Beach is situated near Sandy Bay and Battery Point and surprisingly – it is not very long! Best accessed via Queen Street,
A protected beach with a playground, great swings, toilets and a BBQ area.
A dog friendly beach that is great for dog walking.
Ideal for learning to paddle board or kayak, but often not recommended for swimming due to poor water quality.
